Government

State Rep. Aaron Miller on Tuesday announced that Sturgis will receive a state grant to upgrade a major roadway linking U.S. 12 to a local industrial park. Miller said the Transportation Economic Development Grant, in excess of $171,000, will be used to upgrade White School Road from U.S. 12 to Progress Street, and Progress Street to the west Sturgis city …

The city of Sturgis is offering a battery recycling program. The pilot program will allow people to drop off household and other types of batteries at the Doyle Center during its business hours. While just about all kinds of batteries are accepted, a full list is available through a link on the city’s website: sturgismi.gov.

Authorities have identified two people killed when their car collided with an ambulance rushing a 74-year-old man to a nearby hospital. The patient also died. Police say 61-year-old Shirley Stokes apparently ran a stop sign and flashing red light late Monday when the ambulance and her car collided three blocks from Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. Shirley Stokes and 54-year-old passenger …

The Three Rivers Fire Department responded shortly after 10 a.m. Monday to a structure fire. Crews were dispatched to 509 Thomas Street, Apt. 4, where they found smoke coming from the lower level of the three-story apartment building. Crews had the fire under control in less than 10 minutes. Three occupants were displaced due to the fire, which was contained …

A Sturgis residence is expected to be declared a total loss following a fire last week. The Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched at 7 a.m. Friday to a single-family residence at 316 S. Maple St. Upon arrival, firefighters noticed heavy smoke coming from the roof vents at the rear of the residence, according to a department media release. All residents …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, a high school teacher by trade, plans a busy month of March to help promote March Is Reading Month. Miller plans on reading to students in five different St. Joseph County school districts at various points during the month. His itinerary includes March 2 at Eastwood School in Sturgis; March 6 at Colon Elementary; March 9 …

Officials from the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the theme of the 2015 Water Festival. “TR Goes Nautical” will be the theme of the annual festival, a three-day event that starts June 18. In keeping with the theme, the festival will feature events such as a fishing tournament, according to chamber director Christy Trammell. Other attractions include …

The next step for a water trail master plan will be a discussion by county officials next week. Representatives from St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources announced the master plan will be a part of the agenda during next week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Though the public comment stage of the process has already passed, additional questions or comments …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes said the city’s ability to seek bids early for this summer’s major reconstruction of East West Street may be largely responsible for saving 23 percent on the project’s cost. The street was initially constructed in 1922 and its current condition made it a priority for reconstructing 2,600 feet of street surface and replacing more than …

A funeral mass was held Saturday in Kalamazoo for former U.S. District Judge Richard Enslen who died Tuesday. During his 30 years on the federal bench, the 83-year old Enslen ruled on a number of major cases in Michigan, one of which changed high school athletics. Enslen held that under Title IX of federal law guaranteeing equal education between the sexes, Michigan …